About
I am a sensory ecologist who is fascinated by the chemical senses. My research combines approaches from behavioral ecology, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and natural history to understand how chemicals inform animal behavior. In particular, I focus on how chemicals enable organisms to interact with and recognize other individuals.
I completed my PhD in Ecology at the University of California, Davis with a designated emphasis in Organism-Environment Interactions. My dissertation research focused on the role that olfaction plays in the breeding biology of the Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), a long-lived, monogamous seabird species. Birds are one of the least well studied taxonomic groups when it comes to the chemical senses. With their elaborate songs and colorful plumage, olfaction was considered unimportant for birds. It is now well established that birds have a functional sense of smell, but due to the relative infancy of this field, there is still little known about how chemicals influence their ecology. My research makes important contributions to this nascent field where there are many exciting questions to address.
When I am not conducting research, I enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors. I also love reading novels, experimenting in the kitchen, and knitting wooly garments.
Thank you for visiting my site. Please feel free to contact me (slejennings[at]ucdavis.edu) with any questions or comments.
I completed my PhD in Ecology at the University of California, Davis with a designated emphasis in Organism-Environment Interactions. My dissertation research focused on the role that olfaction plays in the breeding biology of the Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), a long-lived, monogamous seabird species. Birds are one of the least well studied taxonomic groups when it comes to the chemical senses. With their elaborate songs and colorful plumage, olfaction was considered unimportant for birds. It is now well established that birds have a functional sense of smell, but due to the relative infancy of this field, there is still little known about how chemicals influence their ecology. My research makes important contributions to this nascent field where there are many exciting questions to address.
When I am not conducting research, I enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors. I also love reading novels, experimenting in the kitchen, and knitting wooly garments.
Thank you for visiting my site. Please feel free to contact me (slejennings[at]ucdavis.edu) with any questions or comments.
